I am thinking of dipping inside for a bit at Barnegut and heading for Atlantic City to outsmart some weather. Anyone ever done this in a sailboat? We draw 5' with an airdraft of 52' looks ok on the chart...

I would not recommend it. Too much skinny water. Did it years ago in a boat with liftkeel (18" w/keel up). I don't remember many of the details but I do remember that I promised myself never to do that again.

Barnegat bay is pretty shallow and unreliable. Especially after Sandy, some of the channels are still mis-marked. We used to sail down there in a day-sailer which drew 2'-5' (swing keel) and with the keel down, anywhere outside the center of the channel we were liable to touch ground.